Texas vs. USC: Preview, predictions, TV schedule and more

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AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 09: Texas brothers Devin Duvernay (6) and Donovan Duvernay (27) enter the playing field in a blanket of smoke prior to game between the Texas Longhorns and the San Jose State Spartans on September 9, 2017 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. The Texas Longhorns defeated the San Jose Spartans 56 – 0. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Keys for Texas

It’s pretty straightforward what Texas has to do this week against USC. They have a high-powered offense that’s averaging more points per game than USC’s offense. But, they’ll need to be able to slow down QB Sam Darnold on the road.

The easiest way to do that is create turnovers. So far this season, Darnold has thrown four touchdowns, but also four interceptions. He’s a gunslinger from the pocket that will take chances against the opposing secondary.

In the opener against Western Michigan, Darnold threw two interceptions and backed it up with another two against Stanford. Neither of those secondaries is as talented as the Longhorns’ secondary. Let’s see if they can create turnovers against Darnold.

Second, Texas’ offense will need to be uber efficient like it was against San Jose State. In that game, they rushed 59 times for 406 yards, averaging nearly seven yards per carry. They were efficient in the passing game as well, behind freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger. If he gets the start again, it’ll be a much more difficult test, but he will need to play as well for Texas to have a chance.

Tom Herman will also need to prove to Texas why they made the right choice. One of the biggest keys will be properly managing the game and Herman needs to have a better gameplan than Clay Helton does for USC to have a chance in Los Angeles.

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